Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I have another variety of insects from my picture collection. As with most of my postings here, they were taken during the summer of 2015.
1. What I think is a male blue dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis). Many male dragonflies develop a white or blue-ish waxy bloom as they mature. I suppose this effects their success in holding a territory over water. In this colorful species the waxy bloom stays on the abdomen.
2. A Muscid fly. Identifications in this group can be pretty tough (for me), but it looks like the genus Morellia in Bugguide. Anyway, to get it to cooperate I kept it for a day, then released it into a cage with some sugar. It quickly settled in for a feed, and I could take my time with the camera.
3. I have a number of pictures of insects attracted to wind-fallen apples in our back yard. The squirrels nibble on them, and the opened apples attract insects (and me). Here is a green bottle fly (probably Lucilia sericata) and an Asian ladybug (Harmonia axyridis). They are such an odd couple that this picture has become a personal favorite of mine.
4. There are different families of bees that have metallic green species, but I suspect this is from the family Halictidae. I cannot identify the species.
5. These little bees were very attracted to our trumpet vines, and so...
6. this had led to one of my 'artsy' pictures where a Halictid bee and I had a stare-down contest from inside a trumpet vine flower. It simply sat there, looking out, and I eventually lost the contest.

Blue dasher

(Download)

Muscid

(Download)

Green bottle fly & Asian ladybug

(Download)

Halictid

(Download)

Halictid

(Download)

Artsy Halictid

(Download)

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Nice little green bees especially the first of the 3.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

third one is my fav

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

This is an amazing set Mark. Fantastic lighting and detail. Yes the dragon is a male Pachydiplax longipennis. The supracuticular pigment or pruinescense is conspicuous and widespread in Libellulidae; males and very occasionally in females. Yes, it develops with maturity and in males in which its extent typically indicates sexual maturity.
-Doc

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thanks, docshark! I see from your postings that you too are a stalker of dragons. There are plenty of insects that are extra fun to try to bag in the camera, but that group really gets my pulse going. There are several species yet that I see around here that I hunger for. Among them is the spectacular 'dragonhunter' (Hagenius brevistylus). I see them. Can't get near them. But one day.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I shoot 90% dragons and damsels for the county survey and help with surveys around the country. It is my passion. I was in central Louisiana this past Spring helping to photograph and collect data on the rarest dragon in the US -Cordulegaster sarracenia. I had the chance to shoot Hagenius brevistylus last summer in Tennessee at a survey. I've added a pic I took of it. I hope you don't mind.
I have thee species that I am just dying to shoot here in the US. One I need to act on quickly as it's becoming quite scarce.
-Doc

(Download)

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Yes... that is my hope! Thanks for sharing the excellent picture!
You might know about the Ohio DNR field guides, including their field guide on Odonates in that state: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/id%20guides/pub320.pdf

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Yes Mark I have one. It was well done. When I called to get one she asked how many I needed so I asked for four for some friends.